Wolfenbarger guest speaker

Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger made history when she took over leadership of the Air Force Materiel Command in June, becoming the first female four-star general in the Air Force.

The general was the featured speaker at the recent Arnold Community Council banquet held at the Manchester-Coffee County Convention Center.

She was joined at the head table by Brig. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., outgoing council president Temple Bowling, incoming council president Steve Cope and others, including U.S. Congressman Diane Black from the 6th District and Scott DesJarlais from the 4th District.

Part of Gen. Wolfenbarger’s job, she said, has been to transition the Air Force Materiel Command into a more efficient and effective entity.

“One of the things we have done,” she said, “has been to simplify” the command by reducing the number of centers from 12 to five.

“It’s also saved money,” she added.

Gen. Wolfenbarger says one of her main goals, as head of the Air Force Materiel Command, is to focus on “what’s best for the Air Force.”

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” she said.

Gen Wolfenbarger serves as Commander at the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and she is currently working toward equipping the Air Force for “world dominant air power.”

The general also spoke of AEDC’s “top-rate” wind tunnels at last week’s banquet.

“These wind tunnels are unmatched anywhere in the world,” she said.

She noted also that AEDC has had a $630 million economic impact on the local economies and applauded the ACC’s efforts to keep AEDC around for years to come.

ACC was established in 2000 to “promote, protect and preserve AEDC and to facilitate interaction and cooperation between the complex and surrounding communities.”

ACC raises money to improve awareness of AEDC by holding an annual meeting with the Tennessee Legislature and Tennessee Congressional delegation while also providing welcome baskets for new military arriving at AEDC.

Also speaking at the event were outgoing president Temple Bowling, incoming president Steve Cope and Congressman Scott DesJarlais.

Weekly Poll

(Sponsored by Bank of Lincoln County) Have you attended or are you planning to attend the Fabulous Fifties Show?